About AU

The AU community is distinguished by its internationally renowned scholars, highly talented and engaged students, and alumni leaders in public service, nonprofit work, and the private sector. Their passion about ideas, action, and service is contagious. Meet an AU professor, student, or alum and you’ll catch the spirit!

AU professors are recognized in the U.S. and abroad for their academic expertise, as well as their active involvement in government, law, policy, business, social services, and the arts. The AU faculty includes award-winning authors, policy-makers, artists, performers, scholars and researchers, filmmakers, lawyers, scientists, journalists, and public intellectuals. Ninety-three percent have the highest degree in their fields. Professors, not assistants, teach the vast majority of AU classes.

American University’s more than 5,000 undergraduates are a microcosm of the world’s diversity. From across the United States and from more than 140 countries, they share a collective desire to shape tomorrow’s world. The AU student body is too diverse to be easily characterized. AU students are often described, though, as activists deeply engaged in social and political issues, as leaders who are already making a difference, as cosmopolitan citizens energized about AU’s international orientation, as enthusiastic Eagles, high academic achievers, and award winners. The quantity and variety of prestigious national merit awards won by AU students tells much about the range of student interests and talents.

For detailed statistics about the university, virtual tours of the campus, and links to the schools, colleges, institutes, centers, and special programs at AU, click here.

Students considering the College Credit Option may also find of interest the School of Communication’s summer program for high school students. More information about this program is available at the School of Communication’s Web site, High School Programs.